Nintendo Announces Sunset for Mario Kart Tour: What’s in Store?

In the ever-evolving landscape of mobile gaming, where trends shift faster than a blue shell in Mario Kart, one beloved racer is gearing up for a dramatic twist. Yes, we’re talking about Mario Kart Tour, the pocket-sized speedster that has been a staple in many gamers’ app libraries since its beta launch in 2019. But hold onto your virtual steering wheels, folks, because Nintendo just dropped a bombshell: Mario Kart Tour is heading towards the sunset.

Before you hit the brakes too hard, let’s unpack this news. Nintendo has revealed that there are only three more “tours” (those thrilling multiplayer events) scheduled for the next month. After that, the tours will start repeating like your favorite movie on loop. What’s the catch? Well, there won’t be any fresh courses, drivers, karts, gliders, or fancy features added post-October 4th. It’s a bit like that frustrating feeling when you realize you’ve been driving in circles in Rainbow Road.

But is this the end of the road for Mario Kart Tour? Not entirely. Nintendo isn’t scrapping the game entirely; it will still be available for download and play. However, without the promise of shiny new content, the player base might dwindle faster than you can say “Mushroom Cup.” Nintendo, optimistically, hopes that die-hard fans will keep the rubber burning on the digital track.

The burning question, of course, is why? Why is Nintendo suddenly throwing a banana peel in front of the development of new content for this free-to-play speedster? Unfortunately, we don’t have an official answer from the gaming giant yet. We reached out to them, but our inbox remains depressingly empty. Sometimes, games simply run out of fresh ideas and hit the brakes, but we’ll have to wait for the official word.

Despite the impending lack of new content, Mario Kart Tour has been a turbocharged success for Nintendo. It raked in nearly $300 million last year, making it Nintendo’s second-most profitable mobile title, right behind the critically acclaimed Fire Emblem Heroes. So, while the finish line for new content is in sight, the legacy of this pocket-sized racer will continue to shine brightly in the gaming galaxy.

However, like any exciting race, Mario Kart Tour hasn’t been without its share of controversy. In the world of free-to-play mobile games, it’s no surprise that it sometimes asks for your hard-earned coins. The “Spotlight Pipes” feature, a sort of loot box bonanza with undisclosed odds, had gamers crying foul. Nintendo heard their pleas and removed the contentious pipes last September. But, as the saying goes, “where there’s a lawsuit, there’s a way.” Nintendo currently faces a class-action lawsuit over a child who allegedly spent a whopping $170 on Spotlight Pipes. The drama continues in the mushroom kingdom.

While Mario Kart Tour’s future may be uncertain, Nintendo is far from abandoning the mobile gaming scene. They continue to create content for other mobile games, such as Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, Super Mario Run, and the aforementioned Fire Emblem Heroes. In fact, they’ve even teamed up with mobile giant DeNA to establish “Nintendo Systems,” presumably cooking up new smartphone games and experiences. So, as one Mario Kart race cools down, there’s always the promise of another gaming adventure just around the corner. Stay tuned for more turbocharged news from the world of gaming!

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More about Nintendo mobile games

• Nintendo’s Official Website
• Mario Kart Tour on the App Store (iOS)
• Mario Kart Tour on Google Play (Android)
• Eurogamer’s Report on Mario Kart Tour’s Earnings
• Kotaku’s Coverage of the Class-Action Lawsuit Against Nintendo
• Nintendo’s Mobile Games
• DeNA’s Official Website